TIGA Comments on Conservative Party Conference Proposals

By October 6, 2009 Press Releases

TIGA, the trade association representing the UK games industry, said today that the Conservatives’ proposal to exempt any new business starting up in the first two years of a Conservative administration from Employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) on the first ten of its employees, would stimulate job creation and help start up businesses.

Richard Wilson, CEO of TIGA, said:
“Employer National Insurance contributions are a tax on jobs. Exempting new small enterprises from paying NICs on the first ten employees that they take on during the first two years of a Conservative administration is an appealing idea. This measure would help start up enterprises and encourage job creation. Previous TIGA research has shown that 50% of game developers believe that lower rates of NICs would be helpful to their businesses. Certainly this measure could help the very small game developers in the UK.

“Reducing NICs is helpful, but ultimately the UK video games industry ultimately needs a tax break for games production. TIGA’s proposed Games Tax Relief would help a range of game developers, from small enterprises to large firms, expand employment, create new Intellectual Property, innovate, and adopt new more sustainable business models. We hope, therefore, that the Conservative Party will back our proposals for a Games Tax Relief.””

Separately, TIGA welcomed the Conservative Party’s pledge to introduce a further 10,000 university places if elected, in 2010. An expansion of under-graduate places in science, technology, mathematics and engineering subjects should be a priority.

Ends

Notes to editors

About TIGA
TIGA is the trade association representing the UK’s games industry. The majority of our members are either independent games developers or in-house publisher owned developers. We also have outsourcing companies, technology businesses and universities amongst our membership.
TIGA’s vision is to make the UK the best place in the world to do games business. We focus on three sets of activities: political representation, generating media coverage and developing services that enhance the competitiveness of our members. This means that TIGA members are effectively represented in the corridors of power, their voice is heard in the media and they receive benefits that make a material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and improved commercial opportunities.

For further information please contact Eva Field, TIGA PR Manager on: 07814 039 983, or email eva@tiga.org

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